Shelton State cheerleaders perform during halftime of a men's basketball game against Snead State in Umphrey Center at Shelton State Community College on Monday. The cheerleaders recently won their sixth consecutive national title at the National College Cheerleading Championships.

Michelle Lepianka Carter | The Tuscaloosa News

By Kris MitchellSpecial to the Tuscaloosa News

Published: Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, January 28, 2013 at 11:24 p.m.

TUSCALOOSA Looks like Tuscaloosa is rapidly becoming the city of dynasties.

While the University of Alabama's football and gymnastics teams have earned back-to-back national titles, there's another squad that's building a reputation for championship performances.

The Shelton State Community College cheerleaders earned their sixth consecutive national championship, using confidence and consistency as their motivation, coach Christa Grizzle said.

The team competed in the College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship on Jan. 18-20 in Orlando, Fla.

The event was sponsored by the Universal Cheerleading Association and Universal Dance Association.

Shelton State faced opponents from across the nation and competed in the Open NCAA Divisions, which included Division II, NAIA, junior colleges and other schools.

The other teams kept pressure on the Buccaneer cheerleaders, who lead cheers and provide halftime entertainment at Shelton State men's and women's basketball games, Grizzle said.

“The other teams were competing for the same trophy we were,” she said. “We wanted to win the 2013 championship, and so did they.”

Grizzle credits intense and focused training as the key to the squad's six-year reign.

One of the team members said that the squad will ease up for a little while to celebrate the victory.

“We won't practice as much after the championship,” said Elijah Groshell, a Shelton State sophomore from Tacoma, Wash.

He said less practice is usually how the team celebrates their victories.

“Winning the championship is one of the most rewarding things ever,” he said.

Even after six straight titles, winning is still thrilling, Grizzle said.

“Each championship is different, and you have something to shoot for. Our motto this year was ‘Six-cess.' ”

That's a combination of the two goals the team wanted to accomplish — the sixth national championship and success, she said.

“Coach Christa is one of the best coaches I've ever had,” said Groshell, who added he wants to try out for UA's cheerleading squad.

Grizzle said eight former Shelton cheerleaders have made UA's cheerleading team, and her current team is a “hardworking bunch.”

Other members of the 2012-13 Shelton State cheerleading squad are Betheney Holt, a sophomore from Trussville; Brie Day, a freshman from Centre; Laken Elliott, a sophomore from Red Bay; Misti Murphy, a freshman from Childersburg; Mary Catherine Luckie, a sophomore from Prattville; Kelsey Davis, a sophomore from Northport; Zurrender Hapton, a freshman from Cullman; Jessica Knight, a sophomore from Dacula, Ga.; Abby Snyder, a freshman from Grayson; Taylor Bethune, a sophomore from Albertville; Andre Walker, Jarrod Jeffries, a sophomore from Locust Fork; Tyler Whitworth, J.J. Anderson, a freshman from Prattville; Trey Vaughn, a freshman from Orlando, Fla.; Kevin Zelaya, a freshman from Los Angeles; Mike McAbee, a freshman from Steilacoom, Wash.; Christian Vias, Caleb Shulman, a freshman from Buford, Ga.; and Blake Sims, a freshman from Wicksburg.

<p>TUSCALOOSA Looks like Tuscaloosa is rapidly becoming the city of dynasties.</p><p>While the University of Alabama's football and gymnastics teams have earned back-to-back national titles, there's another squad that's building a reputation for championship performances.</p><p>The Shelton State Community College cheerleaders earned their sixth consecutive national championship, using confidence and consistency as their motivation, coach Christa Grizzle said.</p><p>The team competed in the College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship on Jan. 18-20 in Orlando, Fla. </p><p>The event was sponsored by the Universal Cheerleading Association and Universal Dance Association.</p><p>Shelton State faced opponents from across the nation and competed in the Open NCAA Divisions, which included Division II, NAIA, junior colleges and other schools.</p><p>The other teams kept pressure on the Buccaneer cheerleaders, who lead cheers and provide halftime entertainment at Shelton State men's and women's basketball games, Grizzle said.</p><p>“The other teams were competing for the same trophy we were,” she said. “We wanted to win the 2013 championship, and so did they.”</p><p>Grizzle credits intense and focused training as the key to the squad's six-year reign.</p><p>One of the team members said that the squad will ease up for a little while to celebrate the victory.</p><p>“We won't practice as much after the championship,” said Elijah Groshell, a Shelton State sophomore from Tacoma, Wash. </p><p>He said less practice is usually how the team celebrates their victories. </p><p>“Winning the championship is one of the most rewarding things ever,” he said. </p><p>Even after six straight titles, winning is still thrilling, Grizzle said.</p><p>“Each championship is different, and you have something to shoot for. Our motto this year was 'Six-cess.' ” </p><p>That's a combination of the two goals the team wanted to accomplish — the sixth national championship and success, she said.</p><p>“Coach Christa is one of the best coaches I've ever had,” said Groshell, who added he wants to try out for UA's cheerleading squad. </p><p>Grizzle said eight former Shelton cheerleaders have made UA's cheerleading team, and her current team is a “hardworking bunch.” </p><p>Other members of the 2012-13 Shelton State cheerleading squad are Betheney Holt, a sophomore from Trussville; Brie Day, a freshman from Centre; Laken Elliott, a sophomore from Red Bay; Misti Murphy, a freshman from Childersburg; Mary Catherine Luckie, a sophomore from Prattville; Kelsey Davis, a sophomore from Northport; Zurrender Hapton, a freshman from Cullman; Jessica Knight, a sophomore from Dacula, Ga.; Abby Snyder, a freshman from Grayson; Taylor Bethune, a sophomore from Albertville; Andre Walker, Jarrod Jeffries, a sophomore from Locust Fork; Tyler Whitworth, J.J. Anderson, a freshman from Prattville; Trey Vaughn, a freshman from Orlando, Fla.; Kevin Zelaya, a freshman from Los Angeles; Mike McAbee, a freshman from Steilacoom, Wash.; Christian Vias, Caleb Shulman, a freshman from Buford, Ga.; and Blake Sims, a freshman from Wicksburg.</p>